OXNARD, Calif. — A joint investigation by patrol officers, neighborhood policing teams, and property crimes detectives in Oxnard led to the arrest of two local women accused of stealing packages from residential porches, public safety officials reported. Click here to view the official Oxnard Police Department news release regarding the package theft suspect arrests.
The enforcement action was carried out by the Oxnard Police Department following reports of thefts in the Sea View Estates and Rio Lindo neighborhoods.
Authorities identified the suspects as Samara Eaves, a resident of Oxnard, and Janet Barajas, a resident of Port Hueneme.
The vehicle stop and arrests occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the 1900 block of Socorro Way in Oxnard.
Spike in Mail Thefts, Suspect Vehicle Identified, and Traffic Stop
According to an official incident advisory issued by Sergeant Mike Kohr of the Oxnard Police Department, the city experienced a notable uptick in residential mail and porch package thefts throughout late summer and early autumn.
On September 30, 2026, and October 1, 2026, officers responded to multiple calls from residents reporting thefts and attempted thefts of identifiable delivered goods.
Working closely with victims and neighborhood witnesses, officers from the Patrol Services Bureau, the Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT), and detectives from the Property Crimes Unit identified a primary suspect vehicle linked to the incidents.
On October 1, officers spotted the suspect vehicle cruising through a residential area and conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the 1900 block of Socorro Way.
Property Recovered, Neighborhood Links, and Outstanding Warrants
During a search of the vehicle, officers located stolen items from a recently reported theft. Police cataloged the items and returned the recovered property directly to the owner.
Occupants Samara Eaves and Janet Barajas were positively identified by investigators in connection with multiple incidents:
- Sea View Estates Neighborhood: Both Eaves and Barajas were positively identified as suspects in a porch package theft occurring on September 30, 2026.
- Rio Lindo Neighborhood: Eaves was additionally identified as the primary suspect in a separate residential package theft occurring on September 30, 2026.
In addition to new criminal charges for grand and petty theft, both Eaves and Barajas were found to have active, outstanding felony arrest warrants.
Deputies transported the women to the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for formal booking.
"Officers working in the Patrol Services Bureau and the Neighborhood Policing Team conducted a traffic stop on the suspected vehicle in the 1900 block of Socorro Way in Oxnard. During the investigation, property from a recent theft was recovered and later released to the owner," Sergeant Mike Kohr detailed in an official department statement.
"Eaves and Barajas were positively identified as suspects in a theft that occurred... in the Sea View Estates neighborhood... Eaves and Barajas were arrested for various theft charges and outstanding felony warrants," police representatives added.
Community Collaboration and Tip Submission Channels
Oxnard Police leadership commended local residents for utilizing home security cameras and reporting suspicious vehicles promptly, noting that eyewitness details were vital in tracking down the suspects.
Community members with information regarding unreported package thefts or suspicious activity in Oxnard are encouraged to contact Sergeant Mike Kohr at (805) 385-7600 or via email at Mike.Kohr@Oxnardpd.org.
Online reports can be submitted through the Oxnard Police Department Official Portal. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or via Ventura County Crime Stoppers Online.